Answer: What A.C.T.I.O. means: A: Assess/observe the situation C: Contact your supervisor T: Talk to family members if present I: Identify how you can help O: Open the chart and document N: Note to follow-up
If a problem is identified on the screening tool, go to the corresponding section and follow the A.C.T.I.O. plan.
Section A: Problems taking medication correctly (5 rights).
Have you noticed any of the following behaviors that might suggest
that the client has not taken his/her medication correctly? Right Patient: Client is taking medication prescribed for someone else Right Medication: Client took the wrong medication Right Dose: Client took the wrong dose (e., too little/too much medication or no medication taken) Right Time: Client took the medication at the wrong time Right Route: Client used the wrong method/way to take medication
If you have noticed any of the following behaviors follow ACTION plan and
contact the supervisor immediately.
Section B: Physical or cognitive problems.
Client has difficulty seeing Client has difficulty hearing
Client has difficulty taking and preparing medication Client has difficulty opening medication bottles
Client has difficulty remembering Client does not understand
If you have noticed any of the following problems, follow A.C.T.I.O.
Section C: Barriers and other problems.
Client unwilling to take medication as prescribed
Client has financial difficulty paying for prescriptions Client physically unable to leave home or has no transportation Client needs more caregiver support with medication
Client keeps old or expired bottles of medication Client has poor storage conditions of medication
If you have noticed any of the following problems, follow A.C.T.I.O.
Section D: Change in client condition.
Have you noticed any changes in your client’s condition? Change in bowel patterns (diarrhea, constipation, gas) Change in bladder patterns (frequency, odor, color) Change in behavior, memory, mood, or thinking pattern Change in mobility (problems with walking, standing up, dizziness, falling) Change in appetite (increased/decreased appetite, nausea, dry mouth, thirst) Change in energy level (more tired than usual or more energy than usual) Change in sleeping pattern (difficulty staying awake/falling asleep) Change in comfort level (unusual discomfort, pain, headache) Follow ACTION plan and contact your supervisor immediately.
Section E: Change in client medication
Any recent changes in the client’s medication either after a visit to the
doctor or discharge from the hospital contact supervisor immediately.
b) What section in the “Medication Problem A.C.T.I.O. Plan” resource would you turn to
when addressing the situation? (1 mark)
This problem can be solved by going to part D (changes in client condition).
c) What action would you take to assist your client? Record your answer for part “c” as if you
are documenting in the client’s record. (3 marks)
10/10/2021 @0900H: Opened client dosette and provided water to assist client with
medication. Placed call to supervisor to report challenges with opening dosette. Report about
very inflamed joints to supervisor. R. Kaur, PSW.
has been prescribed to be taken bid. When you try to remind him to take his medication, he
refuses, claiming he is fine.
a) In your own words, explain the main problem/challenge faced in this situation. (2 marks)
Ans: In this case, the client was given a prescription anti-inflammatory drug twice a day, which he refused to take and claiming that he is fine. However, the question is whether he is truly fine or whether this is just an excuse to avoid taking the medication. If it's an excuse, his problem, for which the anti-inflammatory medicines have been prescribed, will only get worse.
b) What section in the “Medication Problem A.C.T.I.O. Plan” resource would you turn to
when addressing the situation? (1 mark)
Ans: This issue can be addressed by going to section C (Barriers and other
c) What action would you take to assist your client? Record your answer for part “c” as if you
are documenting in the client’s record. (3 marks)
10/10/2021 @ 1400H: Reminded client to take medication. The client refused to take
medication as prescribed. Client seemed discouraged when reminded to take medication.
Informed supervisor to report challenges in assisting client with medications. – R. Kaur, PSW.
medication is different from the care plan. Your client claims that his meds were changed over
the weekend after visiting the medical clinic.
a) In your own words, explain the main problem/challenge faced in this situation. (2 marks)
Ans: In this case, the medication strength does not match the care plan, and I was unaware that the medications had been changed after a recent visit to the clinic, as the client claimed, but the most recent care plan is not available, so there is some uncertainty about the correct strength to be administered.
b) What section in the “Medication Problem A.C.T.I.O. Plan” resource would you turn to
when addressing the situation? (1 mark)
This issue can be addressed by going to section E (Change in client
c) What action would you take to assist your client? Record your answer for part “c” as if you
are documenting in the client’s record. (3 marks)
10/10/2021 @ 1400H: Noticed the strength of client medication was different from care plan.
Informed supervisor to report changes to strength of client's medication and talked to a family
member while checking the label and confirmed whether they knew it or not. Need to make a
follow-up next visit to ensure that the client is taking correct medication. R. Kaur, PSW.